Halloween Pumpkin Spice Cookie Cake Recipe

If you’re on the hunt for a cozy, festive treat that’s bursting with fall flavors, you’re going to love this Halloween Pumpkin Spice Cookie Cake Recipe. Imagine the warm, comforting aroma of pumpkin spice filling your kitchen, with a soft, chewy cookie base that’s just begging to be frosted and decorated. This recipe is incredibly easy, fun to make, and perfect for sharing with friends or treating yourself on a crisp autumn evening. Stick with me—I’ll walk you through it so you nail it every time!

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Why This Recipe Works

  • Simple and Convenient: Using a pumpkin spice cookie mix saves prep time without sacrificing flavor.
  • Perfect Texture: The cookie cake bakes up soft and chewy with slightly crisp edges—so satisfying.
  • Festive Flair: Cream cheese frosting tinted with black gel coloring and fun Halloween sprinkles bring the season to life.
  • Easy to Customize: You can tweak the frosting color, sprinkle selection, or even mix-ins to suit your taste or party theme.

Ingredients & Why They Work

I love how the ingredients here work together to bring out that perfect pumpkin spice vibe without a ton of fuss. The cookie mix gives a reliable base, while the cream cheese frosting adds just the right tang and creaminess to balance the spices. Plus, the black gel food coloring and sprinkles make it instantly festive.

Halloween Pumpkin Spice Cookie Cake, pumpkin spice cookie cake recipe, fall cookie cake, festive Halloween dessert, easy pumpkin spice cookies - Flat lay of bright orange pumpkin, golden brown raw cookie dough chunks speckled with cinnamon and nutmeg, a smooth block of creamy white cream cheese, small jars of warm brown pumpkin spice and rich cinnamon sticks, a small bowl of vibrant multicolored Halloween sprinkles in orange, black, and purple, and a small jar of glossy black gel food coloring, all arranged with natural shadows and soft light placed on white marbled surface, photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7
  • Pumpkin Spice Cookie Mix: This is your foundation. I usually grab a pouch from Betty Crocker—they’re consistent and rich with cinnamon, nutmeg, and all the pumpkin-y goodness.
  • Ingredients listed on the box: Usually eggs and butter, so remember to have those handy for making the dough smooth and rich.
  • Cream Cheese Frosting: The cream cheese flavor perks up the spice notes and adds moisture. You can buy it pre-made or whip up your own if you’re feeling fancy.
  • Black Gel Food Coloring: This lets you get that deep, spooky black frosting without watering it down, giving you the perfect Halloween vibe.
  • Halloween Sprinkles: These add a fun crunch and visual pop—my favorites are ones shaped like bats, pumpkins, or little ghosts!
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Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Tweak to Your Taste

What I love most about this Halloween Pumpkin Spice Cookie Cake Recipe is how easy it is to make your own. I like to play around with the frosting color and sprinkle combinations depending on the party or mood. Don’t be shy—this is your chance to get creative.

  • Variation: Sometimes I add mini chocolate chips right into the cookie dough to add a melty chocolate surprise in every bite—it’s a total hit with kids at parties.
  • Dietary Mods: You can try dairy-free cream cheese frosting to accommodate dietary needs without losing out on creaminess.
  • Spice Boost: Feel free to add a pinch of ground cloves or ginger to the cookie mix for an extra punch of fall flavor.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Halloween Pumpkin Spice Cookie Cake Recipe

Step 1: Prep Your Pan and Oven

First things first, get your oven preheated to 350°F. I always line my 9-inch round cake pan with foil—it makes cleanup a breeze and helps you lift the cookie cake out easily. Don’t forget a good spray of nonstick cooking spray on top of the foil so nothing sticks. It’s a little extra effort upfront that pays off big later!

Step 2: Make the Cookie Dough

Follow the directions on your pumpkin spice cookie mix pouch. Typically, you’ll be adding egg and butter and stirring until everything is combined into a soft dough. I like to use my hands to press the dough evenly into the pan—get it nice and snug, especially around the edges. This helps the cookie cake bake evenly and look beautiful.

Step 3: Bake Until Perfect

Bake for about 22-26 minutes. Keep an eye on it starting around 20 minutes—you’re looking for golden brown edges and the top losing its shiny, raw look. Don’t be tempted to overbake; the cookie cake continues to set as it cools, and you want it chewy, not dry.

Step 4: Frost and Decorate

Once your cookie cake is completely cool, it’s frosting time! Mix a few drops of black gel food coloring into your cream cheese frosting until you get a spooky, rich black shade. Spread it evenly over the cake, then sprinkle with your favorite Halloween sprinkles. This step always feels like magic—turning a simple cookie into a festive centerpiece.

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Pro Tips for Making Halloween Pumpkin Spice Cookie Cake Recipe

  • Even Thickness: Press the dough evenly in the pan to avoid uneven baking and doughy spots.
  • Cooling Time is Key: Make sure your cookie cake is fully cooled before frosting to prevent the icing from melting.
  • Use Gel Coloring: Gel food coloring won’t thin out your frosting like liquid colors, giving you vibrant, rich hues.
  • Watch Your Bake Time: Check early and often towards the end of baking to keep the cookie moist and chewy.

How to Serve Halloween Pumpkin Spice Cookie Cake Recipe

Halloween Pumpkin Spice Cookie Cake, pumpkin spice cookie cake recipe, fall cookie cake, festive Halloween dessert, easy pumpkin spice cookies - A round tart with a golden-brown crust forms the base layer, topped with a thick, smooth layer of black frosting spread evenly across the surface with visible swirl textures. Colorful sprinkles in green, orange, white, and purple are scattered evenly over the black frosting, adding bright pops of color. A white bowl filled with the same sprinkles is placed above the tart on a white marbled surface, visible in the top right corner of the image. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Garnishes

I’m a sucker for sprinkles that double as tiny decorations—bats, spiders, and orange and black jimmies. Sometimes I add edible glitter or pearl dust for a subtle shimmer that catches the light just right. If you’re serving at a party, little candy pumpkins on top add an extra cute touch and make it feel festive.

Side Dishes

Pair this cookie cake with a warm cup of spiced cider or pumpkin latte for a perfect fall combo. For a Halloween get-together, I sometimes serve alongside a scoop of vanilla or cinnamon ice cream for extra indulgence.

Creative Ways to Present

If you’re throwing a Halloween bash, try placing the cookie cake on a cake stand surrounded by miniature faux pumpkins and fall leaves. You can also cut it into mini squares and stack them with wooden picks for a fun, bite-sized display.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store your cookie cake in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. I usually cover it loosely with plastic wrap on top of the pan before putting on the lid—this helps keep the frosting fresh and the cookie moist.

Freezing

I’ve frozen leftover cookie cakes before (without sprinkles), wrapped tightly in foil and plastic wrap. They freeze beautifully for up to a month. When you’re ready to enjoy, just thaw overnight in the fridge before frosting and decorating.

Reheating

I prefer to eat this cookie cake room temperature or chilled, but if you want it warm, pop a slice in the microwave for 10-15 seconds. Be careful not to overheat or you’ll melt the frosting too much. It warms the spices just right and softens the cookie even more.

FAQs

  1. Can I make the Halloween Pumpkin Spice Cookie Cake Recipe from scratch instead of using a mix?

    Absolutely! If you want to go fully homemade, use your favorite pumpkin spice cookie dough recipe and press it into the pan just like in this recipe. Keep baking times similar and watch for the golden edges. The mix just makes things quicker, but scratch works well too!

  2. What if I don’t have black gel food coloring?

    You can use regular food coloring, but gel is best because it doesn’t thin the frosting. If you don’t have black, mixing other gel colors like blue and red together can create a dark hue, or simply frost with plain cream cheese frosting and decorate with dark-themed sprinkles for effect.

  3. Can I make mini cookie cakes instead of one large cake?

    Definitely! Use a mini muffin tin or small tart pans to make individual cookie cakes. Adjust baking time down to around 12-15 minutes and keep an eye on them for that slightly golden edge.

  4. How do I keep my cookie cake moist without overbaking?

    Set a timer for a few minutes less than the recommended bake time and start checking early. Look for edges to be golden and the top to lose its shiny appearance. The cookie will finish setting as it cools, which helps keep the center soft and chewy.

Final Thoughts

This Halloween Pumpkin Spice Cookie Cake Recipe has become a fall favorite in my kitchen because it’s easy, festive, and deliciously comforting. Whether you’re baking for a party, bringing a treat to work, or just craving something cozy, this cookie cake never disappoints. I hope you have as much fun making it as I do—don’t forget to share it with people who will appreciate all that pumpkin spice goodness!

Print
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Halloween Pumpkin Spice Cookie Cake Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 4.9 from 6 reviews
  • Author: Amanda
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 26 minutes
  • Total Time: 46 minutes
  • Yield: 10 servings
  • Category: Dessert
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Description

This Halloween Cookie Cake is a festive, delightful dessert perfect for celebrating the spooky season. Made with a pumpkin spice cookie base, creamy cream cheese frosting tinted with black gel food coloring, and topped with colorful Halloween sprinkles, it’s both visually striking and delicious. It’s easy to make using a boxed cookie mix and ready in under an hour, making it ideal for parties or seasonal treats.


Ingredients

Cookie Base

  • 1 pouch or box pumpkin spice cookie mix (including ingredients required on the box, typically 1 egg and 1/2 cup butter)

Frosting

  • 1 can cream cheese frosting
  • Black gel food coloring (enough to tint frosting)

Toppings

  • Halloween sprinkles (amount to taste)


Instructions

  1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F. Prepare a 9-inch round cake pan by lining it with foil and spraying with nonstick cooking spray for easy release.
  2. Make Cookie Dough: Prepare the pumpkin spice cookie dough as instructed on the cookie mix package, typically combining the mix with egg and butter. Stir until fully combined.
  3. Press Dough: Evenly press the cookie dough into the prepared cake pan, smoothing the top so it’s level.
  4. Bake the Cookie Cake: Bake for 26 minutes or until the edges are browned and the top is no longer shiny, indicating it is fully cooked. Remove from the oven and allow to cool completely in the pan.
  5. Color the Frosting: Once cooled, tint the cream cheese frosting with black gel food coloring by adding small amounts and mixing until evenly darkened to your desired shade.
  6. Frost and Decorate: Spread the tinted frosting evenly over the cooled cookie cake. Sprinkle Halloween-themed sprinkles generously on top for a festive look.
  7. Store: Refrigerate the finished cookie cake for up to 3 days or freeze it for up to one month to maintain freshness.

Notes

  • If pumpkin spice cookie mix is unavailable, any similar autumn-spiced cookie mix can substitute, just adjust ingredients as directed on the package.
  • Ensure the cookie cake is completely cooled before frosting to prevent melting and sliding of the frosting.
  • Use cream cheese frosting for a tangy contrast to the spicy cookie base, but vanilla or buttercream frostings can work as alternatives.
  • For a stronger black frosting color, add gel food coloring gradually to avoid overpowering taste or texture.
  • To remove the cookie cake easily from the pan, lining with foil and spraying with nonstick spray is recommended.

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 serving
  • Calories: 350 kcal
  • Sugar: 28 g
  • Sodium: 180 mg
  • Fat: 14 g
  • Saturated Fat: 6 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 50 g
  • Fiber: 2 g
  • Protein: 3 g
  • Cholesterol: 40 mg

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